Psy 223 1st EditionExam # 3 Study GuideThe Numeric Brain!Number processingA lot of evidence that numerical processing is somewhat innate- ex. Early infants* Infants like new things so we look at their novelty gaze and so that’s how we study what they rememberTheres more purple in the ones wit three dots we thought it was the number so the purple is an extraneousvariableA lot of evidence that numerical processing is somewhat automaticNumber magnitude is processed even when you aren’t trying to* Takes longer to process a number than size Quick estimation of numbersFor small numbers (< 4), we can quickly and accurately estimate the number of items in a glanceHow many dots are there? Brief presentation (200ms)Subitizing: enumerating small number of items at a glance (parallel processing)But for > 4 items, serial processing (aka counting)* Numbers from 1-4 (parallel)you have about the same reaction time and accuracy to count instantly but as soon as its more than it takes more time This is parallel vs. serial process them and count our way through themSize and Distance EffectAre these two numbers the same? 2 __ 3 harder than 4__9Suggests we might represent numbers on a number lineWhich number is larger? 7__9 harder than 2__4Suggests a compressed (logarithmic) representation of numbers* The closer the numbers are 2,3 the harder it isWhen they are further away distance wise 4 to 9 we know its 5 spaces away so its easierMAYBE we view numbers on a number line in our headAlso we are slower and less accurate when asking is 7 bigger than 9 than 2 is bigger than 4? Because 7 is more similar to 9 than 2 to 4We do this because in our brain we logrithmic representation, we have a lot of experience with small numbers than bigger numbers so we represent them a lot more in our brain as a lot different than bigger onesEx. When shopping we pick a cheaper grocery item, but when we buy something expensive like a car then add ons that are way less seem like its not a big dealLogarithmic representationA lot of evidence that our representation of numbers is logarithmicIt probably should be: we deal a lot more with 1-10 than 10000-10010You probably experience this all the time Grocery store: $1.20 vs $1.45 yogurt (big deal) New car: $30,000 vs $31,000 (meh, whatever)Key Characteristics of Number ProcessingFairly innate infants do itAutomaticnumber affects processing even when you don’t want it toRepresentation of magnitude distance effectssize effectsMath and numbers as a languageSymbolic representation of somethingeight, 8 (written) “eight” (spoken)Semantic content and relationships among itemsSyntax (ordeR) for calculations8 divided by 2 is not the same as 2 divided by 8* 8 has meaning to you and you know that there are differences between the numbers, their order, and their relation to each other Numerical Processing and CalculationBuilds upon other cognitive processes (many language specific)* Numbers are like language so involves lots of the same processes as languageArabic numerals = the written numberNumerical Processing in the brain**Triple-Code model (many similarities with language processing)A) Semantic Magnitude (how big is 8 to you?)Represented in: Intraparietal sulcusRepresentation of sizeB) Verbal SystemLeft angular gyrusComprehend/produce spoken numbersStore arithmetic facts (2 x 2 = 4)C) Visual number formFusiform gyrus (also here is facial or different qualities fuse togetehr)Recognizing arabic numeralsWorkspace for complex operations (123 + 548)* 3 different codes for the numbers that we useSuperior temporal language: language, mostly comprehensionNumbers and Spatial Representation What the number is and where it is located are often relatedStrong evidence that number size and location are linked in the brain1) Faster to identify small numbers on left side of screenand big numbers on right side of screen2) Small numbers in middle of screen orient attention to leftand big numbers to the right*****remember for test and be able to describe itNumbers and Spatial Representation What the number is and where it is located are often relatedWhere” pathwayDirecting attention in spaceSummaryNumerical Processing is:Innate, universal, automatic Representation of numbers is:orderly, compressed (logarithmic)The comprehension, calculation, and production of numbers:relies on many of the same systems for languageinvolves translating symbols to meaning (with syntax)Is linked to spatial processing *****remember for test and be able to describe itExecutive Function LectureControl processesInfluence and coordination over other cognitive processesEX. Drug addicts – failure of executive control1) Types of Executive Function:1) planning and decision making2) detecting and correcting errors3) overcoming habitual responses4) sustaining attention5) inhibiting responses2) Tasks3) BrainPlanning and decision-makingTower of London: Tower of Hannoi:* Plan your moves and simulate how you would move them so this requires executive function to plan and decideThis task also requires working memoryError CorrectionSort cards into pileslearn from feedback which feature is relevant(color, shape, number)Halfway through the test, the featureswitchesMust detect error and updaterule* Problem with detecting conflict or errorConflict: It is difficult to decided which one to choosePost error sloan: if u like at trials when they made an error then the next trial they are slower so they are becoming cautions. You detect your error and adjust you behavior to increase correctnessOvercoming Habitual ResponseStroop Test: Must ignore irrelevant word information And overcome habit of processing the word information* We are habitually accustomed to read words and attach meaning to them so even though you are supposed to ignore the word then habitually you give meaning to that word and so it competes in your brain with the colorInvolved: 1. Selective attentionSustaining Attention and Working MemoryN-back taskLook for item that matches the item from N trials ago* N just means it is a different number you pickInvolves sustained attention, working memory, and updating your infoInhibitory ControlStop signal taskInhibit response you were about to make** Get you used to doing someaction so that once you are asked to stop then it is harder for youKnow thisPerformance in this does relate to different thingsExecutive Function in the brainHigher-level